Uphill task: Ending corruption requires collective effort, says NAB chief

Qamar Zaman Chaudhry addresses seminar on 'accountability and development'

KARACHI: It is unfortunate that weak enforcement of laws, as well as lack of accountability, has resulted in corruption becoming a way of life.

These views were expressed by chairperson of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Qamar Zaman Chaudhry while addressing a talk on 'Accountability and Development in NAB's Perspective', arranged by the English Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP).

Aziz Memon, president of ESUP, started the session by introducing the chief guest, saying, "Qamar Zaman Chaudhry has great experience in governance and public policy, as he has been attached to various positions at the district, provincial and national level".



Addressing the audience, Chaudhry said, "Corruption has triggered a chain reaction that leads to injustice, a sense of insecurity that makes people go astray and people start losing faith in the capacity and ability of the government that ensures their basic fundamental rights," adding that this is a vicious circle of anxiety, insecurity and hopelessness.

Talking about how society has become 'attached' to corruption, Chaudhry said, "In a corrupt society, every one condemns bribery but every one gives and takes bribes; this is unfortunately a tool to get work done". In our society, one act of corruption becomes the source for other acts of corruption, he said.

The bureau is keen to participate and play its role in the development of the country, and keeping up the momentum of the ongoing year, many new initiatives have been undertaken which have started producing results, stated Chaudhry. "We have recruited skilled lawyers to improve prosecution in courts," he said.



According to a press release issued by NAB, Chaudhry said under specific provisions of the NAB law, the accused are provided the opportunity to return looted public money at the inquiry or investigation stages, through 'voluntary return' and 'plea bargain' systems respectively.

He clarified that the decision to return the amount is completely at the accused's discretion. NAB evaluates the offer and if the suspect is willing to return the looted money, along with 'consequential gains', the same may be accepted. Through voluntary return, the accused escapes criminal liability. On the other hand, a plea bargain is only possible after approval by the accountability court and results in the accused being debarred from holding public office and availing loans for 10 years. If a government official, the accused risks losing his or her job, he said.

Chaudhry emphasised that the amount determined by NAB is non-negotiable and is required to be paid in three equal installments, which are deposited in the Federal Consolidated Fund; and the bureau cannot retain a penny of it. He also said the National Anti-Corruption Strategy formulated in 2002 is being upgraded in collaboration with the Planning Commission to cater to present-day requirements.



A short question and answer session was also held at the end. When asked about the huge publicity when an inquiry is initiated but silence when it is withdrawn, the chairperson said, "It may be because the media does not find it appropriate to publish that an inquiry has been withdrawn".

While responding to another question, Chaudhry said that need and greed are two different things: The need is supposed to be met adequately by the government, to at least give the public fundamental rights so they do not misuse their power for personal benefit.

Together with the chairperson, Sindh NAB chief Col (retd) Siraj Naeem was also present at the event.

Rangoonwala thanked Chaudhry for the talk, saying, "NAB has a very key role in our society and efforts made by the organisation are remarkable".

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2015.